Seattle History: When Nirvana played at the Petco site

Today from seattlepi.com’s Seattle History archive we share the story of a 1991 Nirvana show at what’s now a Petco.

On Sept. 16, 1991 Nirvana – Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic – played a record release show at Beehive music for “Nevermind,” their first DGC Records release. The band had recorded most the tracks earlier that year and it was their second studio album after “Bleach.”

Beehive Music and Video was located at 811 N.E. 45th Street in Seattle. For years, that was the home of Peaches music store, though Beehive took over their locations in 1991.

The University District Beehive location – one of three, including Silverdale and Ballard at 2232 N.W. Market St. – was first listed in the 1992 yellow pages, helpful librarian Jeannette Voiland found.

Fans at the show recall the members of Nirvana signing autographs in the parking lot after the performance.

The building, also home to The Mac Store, has been home to Petco for several years and is across the street from the Legendary Blue Moon tavern.

The Nirvana show at Beehive was recorded with a personal video camera, and was posted to YouTube in 2009. The setlist is below.

Cobain was found dead April 5, 1994 at his home on Lake Washington Boulevard. Gary Smith, an employee for Veca Electric who no longer discusses the incident, found him. Police ruled his death a suicide.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the basic Seattle police report from Cobain’s death investigation.